Meet Our Team
Get to know the people that will be taking care of your pet.
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We Have Expanded Our Hours To Serve You Better. Rx Refill RequestRead Our ReviewsMeet The Owner
Dr. Richard Linkenheimer - Owner
The idea of wanting to be a veterinarian started at a very young age for Dr. Linkenheimer. He attended Edinboro University and received a Bachelors in Biology degree and a secondary education teaching certification. He received his doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree from Mississippi State University in 1995.
He worked emergency medicine for 5 years. His dream of opening his own practice was fulfilled in 2000, when River Valley Veterinary Hospital opened its doors.
Dr. Linkenheimer and his family are controlled by four dogs, Sam and Ella (Katrina rescues), Piper and Jewel, two sisters from West Virginia, along with two rescue cats, Peek-a-boo and Bob and multiple fish. He loves collecting eclectic music for his 1990’s Ipod, reading and cooking.
Meet The Veterinarians
Dr. Honse - Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Honse grew up in rural North Mississippi and attended veterinary school at Mississippi State University.
She has been with River Valley for more than 8 years, and truly enjoys her job, her patients & her clients. She has a special interest in soft tissue surgery and senior pets.
Dr. Honse lives on a hobby farm with her son, Ryan, 3 cats, 2 mules, 1 horse and 1 angry bird. She enjoys trail riding her mules, gardening, going to the beach and spending time with her family.
Dr. Miller - Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Miller is the most recent addition to the River Valley Vet team. She always knew she wanted to work with animals in some respect from an early age. She attended the Pennsylvania State University where she received a bachelors in Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences. She then went on to receive her DVM from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine where she rescued her two island dogs.
Dr. Miller is very passionate about educating owners, helping animals and strengtheningthe human-animal bond. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, hiking, fishing, horseback riding and spending time with her fiancé, dogs and flock of chickens.
Meet Our Certified Veterinary Technicians
Marla - Certified Veterinary Technician
Marla grew up in Wexford , where her love for animals began as a member of the 4-H organization.
Her early experiences riding horses and working in the stables left a permanent impression-she’s always known that a career spent caring for pets would be the perfect fit. Marla attended the Vet Tech Institute to earn her degree in veterinary technology, graduating as a Certified Veterinary Technician. She joined the team here at River Valley Veterinary Hospital in September of 2017, and has been tending to the area’s pets and animal parents ever since. Her favorite part of her work is anesthesia monitoring and all things surgery. Marla lives right here in Springdale with her husband and their four cats: Noodle, Buu. Sybil and Cirdan. In her free time, she loves traveling and camping, learning about local foraging and hanging out at the barn where she leases her horse.
Nicole - Certified Veterinary Technician
Nicole has always loved working with animals. She especially enjoys seeing those she cared for feel better.
She had a special interest in animals at a young age and would help her aunt take care of her goats and would travel to fairs helping her with the livestock. Over the years, Nicole has rescued and treated many animals and helped find them better homes.
Nicole graduated as a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2005 and joined River Valley in January of 2024. She has since been a great asset to our RVVH family. Outside of the practice, she can be found camping, fishing and loves traveling to see waterfalls. She is married and shares her home with pets Daisy and Jasper and fondly remembers those she lost, Rosco, Tubby, Itchy and Scratchy.
Meet Our Veterinary Technicians
Sakari - Veterinary Technician
Pets have made Sakari’s life better for as long as she can remember. For her, working hands-on with animals in the veterinary world is the perfect way to return the favor! Sakari helps pets as a Veterinary Technician with the River Valley Veterinary Hospital team. Sakari completed her externship at a local animal clinic, and graduated from the Vet Tech Institute of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in July of 2017. The next month, she was thrilled to accept a position here at River Valley Veterinary Hospital! Sakari brings with her special interests in laboratory procedures, radio logy work and surgery. Her favorite part of every shift is getting to meet loveable patients and their proud owners.
Outside of work, Sakari can be found enjoying a good book, camping and hiking in the great outdoors, relaxing around a bonfire, or spending time with her family and pets.
Alexis - Veterinary Technician
Growing up, Alexis’ mother always told her that she was meant to work with animals. She could not see her taking any other career path.
Alexis started out at community college soon realizing she had more to offer in life, she applied and was accepted into Vet Tech Institute of Pittsburgh and through hard work and compassion she graduated in February 2019.
Alexis, AKA, Alex as you may know her has been with River Valley, for 5 years now. She enjoys hearing clients tell her how special their pets are to them while assuring them they are just as special to us. She also enjoys knowing that she is assisting in the well-being of your pet.
Alexis grew up in Sarver and now lives in the Freeport area. She welcomed a son in March of 2023 and to complete the family are her two dogs, Jasper and Willow. In her free time, Alexis enjoys playing volleyball, hiking, horseback riding and spending time with her family.
Trinity - Veterinary Technician
Since she was a child, Trinity has always been passionate about caring for and helping animals. She would try to rescue any stray animal she could as a child and spent her summers on her uncle’s farm helping out.
Her family always said she should care for animals as a career and she did just that! She has been with River Valley since April 2023 and is really enjoying it here. Her favorite thing about her job is that we all work really well as a team and everyone is so kind and helpful.
Trinity grew up in Lower Burrell and is a 2019 graduate. She currently resides in Springdale with her dog, Belle a Bearded Dragon, Godzilla and a Crested Gecko Neo. Outside of work Trinity enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family.
Cheyenne - Veterinary Technician
Cheyenne grew up in Penn Hills rescuing stray cats and dog sitting for her neighbors. She knew early on she wanted to be a voice for animals and help them in any way. Cheyenne came to River Valley Veterinary as an extern student from Vet Tech Institute. She graduated in May of 2024 and has been with us ever since, spreading her love of cats and dogs on our patients. She can often be heard sweet talking them in the treatment area.
Cheyenne lives at home with her family. She has two dogs, Yue and Zuko, and one cat, Momo. She spends her free time reading and writing. She also loves going to concerts, singing along with the performers.
Mariah - Veterinary Technician
Passionate about animal care, I’ve always been drawn to helping animals heal and supporting their well-being. I love the constant learning in this field—whether it’s a new medical technique or a fun animal behavior trick—and the incredible bond between people and their pets inspires me daily. Originally from Oregon, I moved to Pennsylvania in 2024 with my husband and teenage son. We share our home with five beloved dogs and three parrots. I studied Animal Science and Fisheries & Wildlife at Oregon State University before attending veterinary technician school. My experience includes wildlife rescue, exotic animal care, and work with the Oregon Tiger Sanctuary. I’ve also been deeply involved in animal rescue efforts. Outside of work, I enjoy horseback riding, martial arts, movies, and family time. I’m grateful to be part of a professional, supportive, and friendly team that feels more like family, all committed to compassionate animal care.
Meet Our Diagnostic Technicians
Katrina - Diagnostic Technician
As a young girl at home, Katrina admired her mother for all that she did to help animals. She was always taking in strays and helped to get them in good health. This was the start of Katrina’s love for animals. She knew then that she wanted to be a veterinary professional.
Katrina’s veterinary technician journey began at Median School of Allied Careers, graduating in 2005. She came to River Valley in 2016 after working with exotics for 10 + years.
Katrina’s favorite thing about working at River Valley is multitasking and having very different roles here that keep her busy getting to know her patients and assisting in and carrying out their care plan as a diagnostic technician.
Katrina grew up and still resides in East Deer. She shares her home with 4 cats and 3 dogs. She is a proud mom of 2 sons and enjoys watching their sports activities. In her free time Katrina enjoys gardening and doing anything outdoors with her family. She also likes art and enjoys painting.
Meet Our Veterinary Assistants
Jody - Veterinary Assistant
Jody grew up in New Kensington and graduated Valley High School in 2011. She has always had a passion for animals, of all species. In 2012, she began working at her local animal shelter. From that point on she has been working with animals. “I’ve seen and learned a lot from working at the animal shelter. Experiencing what I did helped me realize that this is what I was meant to do at this time in my life.”
Jody started her family in 2018 and then joined our team in 2020, She said, “It feels so good to be back where I belong!”
In her free time Jody loves spending time with her family. Everyday is a new adventure with two boys! She also enjoys cooking, being outdoors, fishing, and gardening most recently!
Brooke - Veterinary Assistant
Brooke has always known she wanted to work with animals. She loves creating relationships with the ones she cares for. it feels super rewarding. She was the youngest of 3, her and her siblings were always around animals raising and caring for them.
Brooke has been in veterinary medicine, as a technician, for IO years before joining River Valley in May of 2021. She loves the family feel we have here. Her favorite thing is everyone’s combine skillset, utilized daily, to make the best of every patients visit here.
In her free time, Brooke likes spending time outside hiking and camping. She likes to plant and collect plants and she is a fantastic singer.
At home she shares her household with her best friends, the cat and her many, many ducks.
Meet Our Front Office Staff
Lauren - Office Manager
Lauren has always adored the company of animals. and she knew· that she’d like to use her passion in a meaningful way to impact others. Here at River Valley Veterinary Hospital, she’s able to better the lives of pets and their owners daily as the Office Manager!
Lauren joined the River Valley Veterinary family in the fall of 2007: she learned upon interviewing that she would be cross-trained as a Technician! Now, Lauren is able to use her skill set every day to make every patient as comfortable as possible. She makes it her personal mission to ensure that every visitor to the clinic – furry and otherwise –feels welcome.
Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family, especially traveling to Ocean City with her husband, and daughters. She volunteers at her children’s school and is a proud cheerleader coach for Ar-Ken Youth Football and Cheer. At home the family is completed by a pair of pups named Nico and Rootie and a pair of bunnies named Oreo and Nutter Butter.
Linda - General Manager
Linda has wanted to put her time and effort toward the betterment of animals for as long as she can remember—she prides herself on her listening skills, and loves being able to problem-solve and find solutions for the area’s pet owners! Linda serves as the General Manager of River Valley Veterinary Services. Linda first joined the hospital team in 2006, when she signed on as a Veterinary Technician, and was promoted to the General Manager position in the summer of 2014. When she’s not assisting a veterinarian, you can find Linda managing her talented staff, ordering supplies, and making sure the clinic is functioning smoothly in order to best serve the area’s animal parents. In her time away from work, Linda enjoys landscaping, gardening, vacationing, and spending time with her own pets. She lives with two dogs, Phantom and Oliver, as well as a pair of cats named Mr. Kitters and Biff.
Dawn
Dawn grew up in Mulkeytown, a rural area in Southern Illinois. She attended Christopher Community High School.
As a child living in the country, Dawn always had a love of the surrounding wildlife and occasional stray animal that was dumped by people in the local towns. As a result, She was always interacting with wildlife and her family never went without a dog. Animals became a huge part of Dawn’s life and over the years developed the necessary skills to approach and handle them.
Dawn sought out employment at River Valley after moving to Pennsylvania. Dawn’s greatest accomplishment has been interacting with the clientele as a receptionist. Her previous background as a technician helped her focus on the animals themselves. In her free time, Dawn enjoys hiking, camping and being outdoors with her family and dog Mikko. She also likes editing photography.
Becky - Receptionist
Becky decided to rejoin the workforce when her daughter started her senior year of high school. She joined the River Valley Veterinary Hospital family in 2013 as their receptionist and could not be happier with her decision. Her favorite part of the job is listening to clients’ wonderful pet stories! Becky resides on a small farm with her family and they share their lives with two dogs, three cats, a large host of farm animals.
When she isn’t tending to clients’ needs here at the clinic, Becky enjoys spending time with her family, talking with friends on the phone, watching her favorite TV shows, and traveling.
Bretta - Receptionist
What better way to satisfy her love of animals, than to work at a veterinary hospital? Bretta joined our team at River Valley Veterinary Hospital in August of 2007. Bretta serves as one of River Valley Veterinary Hospital’s veteran Customer Care Specialists.
Bretta strives to make sure all our patient’s needs have been met. She particularly likes gretting the clinic’s four legged visitors in the lobby with a treat.
In her time away from work, Bretta likes to camp and spend time in the great outdoors. She mostly enjoys chilling with family and friends around a good fire.
Bretta has three children and is G-Ma to two little cuties. Her home is made up of a trio of trouble-making Labradors.
Cullen Linkenheimer - Operations & IT Manager
Where did you grow up? – Gibsonia PA, North of Pittsburgh.
Education? – University of Pittsburgh Graduated 2020 from their undergraduate business program.
What was your first job? – I worked at Wendy’s when I was 16 then worked as a personal trainer for first 2 years of college.
What made you choose this profession? – The passion I have for helping clients and their animals.
What is something unique about you that most people don’t know? – favorite hobbies are lifting and working on my truck.
What do you find most rewarding at River Valley? – Seeing smiling faces on clients when we help them get the care they deserve and receiving complements that this is the best experience and vet hospital they have ever been to.
Goals for the future. – Continue to grow in my position and hopefully open this place up to be a 24/7 emergency clinic.